Regaining their throne, Slayer have proven yet again that they are here to stay. And this was cemented even more so with the bone-crunching riffs from "Flesh Storm" and "Catatonic". Then, throw in some raw anger from tracks like "Supremist" and "Skeleton Christ", and you've got the recipe for the most in-your-face album of 2006. Tom's gruff voice flicks out words a 100 mph, while Kerry and Jeff shred and tear. And don't forget the return of the almighty drum legend Dave Lombardo, for without him, this wouldn't have been as amazing as it is. Oh, and did I forget to mention that they take a cheap shot at American society with a terrorist's P.O.V. of 9/11 on "Jihad"? Yea, that's the best song too. Welcome back Slayer.

Leave it to man like Johnny Cash to still release one of the best albums of the year...even after he died. Johnny Cash will always be one of my favorite artists, and this album deserves to be in everyones collection. A wonderful 12-song trip, Johnny embraces the fact that he's dying and writes one of the most beautiful albums in his career. From the pleading opener of "Help Me" to the calm and serene closer of "I'm Free From the Chain Gang Now", Cash puts forward such emotion that I have yet to see matched. And don't forgot "God's Gonna Cut You Down", the most unique and inspiring song that's featured here.

Another amazing comeback, Iron Maiden comes back after the stunning "Dance of Death" and throws us some more wicked good tunes. It's an epic album, which is present in the song lengths (most of them over 6 minutes). And (surprise, surprise!) the main attraction is Bruce's soaring vocals, as he throws his whole body into the songs. Just listen to "These Colours Don't Run" and you'll hear Bruce pushing his body to the limits. It's hard to pick out the better instrumental performance, since Steve, Dave, Adrian, Nicko, and Janick are all amazing. Oh yes, "For the Greater Good of God" is going to go down as one of Iron Maiden's greatest songs ever. Don't pass it up.

I actually know very little of this band, but that was all forgotten when I heard this album. The melody that's showcased throughout plays second-to-none, and combine that in with some excellent muscianship, and you've got one hell of an album. The best part, I feel, is how easily the band changes from being upfront and brutal to calm and beautiful. "Nothing" is a mind-searcher, and "Surrounded by Night" is just, well, moving. But the opener, "Severe Emotional Distress" takes the cake here.

Though it's got more songs that I can shake a stick at, it still catches my attention. It's a great achievement for these guys to still be putting out quality material like this. John is probably the highlight of the whole album, flicking off some unique riffs and solos, while Flea slaps and pops his way through. And don't forget Kiedis, either, still using some of the more interesting lyrics that I've ever heard. Just take a listen to "Storm in a Teacup" and "Tell Me Baby" and you'll get lost in the groove. But the sickest has to be "Storm in a Teacup", with its funkified riffs and upbeat tempo.